Irish Paralympian Jason Smyth is the London star you never heard of. The sprinter firmly cemented his status as “Fastest Paralympian Alive” by winning both the 100m and 200m. Smyth, like Usain Bolt, also won gold in both races in Beijing.
Smyth’s London accomplishments went virtually unnoticed in the States, despite the fact that he trains in Florida with popular American sprinter Tyson Gay. The 25-year-old nearly raced against Gay in London, as he missed qualifying only be a mere .04 seconds.
At 8 years old Smyth was diagnosed with the Stargardt’s Disease, a genetic condition that dramatically impairs one’s eyesight. Smyth says that his vision is about “ten percent to that of a person with full sight.”
The inspiring video below showcases the soft-spoken Smyth talking about what got him into athletics and what drives him today.
